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Best Garbage Disposals ReviewsThu, 16 May 2019 14:42:47 +0000en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.1How to Reset a Garbage Disposalhttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-reset-a-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-reset-a-garbage-disposal/#respondThu, 16 May 2019 14:41:02 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=421Most garbage disposals have a reset button. It is usually red, and it is usually located on the bottom of the disposal. If something happens to cause a...

]]>Most garbage disposals have a reset button. It is usually red, and it is usually located on the bottom of the disposal.

If something happens to cause a temporary jam or other problem, it will pop out. The reset button popping out is similar to a local fuse being tripped. It’s a safety feature that helps protect the disposal from overheating and ruining the motor when something bad happens.

If you are familiar with your garbage disposal, it should be simple enough to turn the unit off and just push the reset button. Afterwards, wait a few seconds, then turn on the cold water and then turn on the disposal.

Safety Tip: No matter how small the job, if you are doing any kind of maintenance on potentially dangerous equipment, always turn it off at the power source. Always follow this rule, even if you are just pushing the reset button.

Voila! Problem solved! Your disposal should now be working properly again.

But what if that doesn’t fix it? Life often doesn’t go as smoothly as we expected it to go.

In fact, if you are googling this question on the internet, you may have already tried all of the above with no success to show for it. Or maybe you simply couldn’t find the reset button and got no further than that before trying to look up an answer.

Now What?

Finding The Reset Button

Although the reset button is typically on the bottom of the disposal, it can be in various places. Some of those positions are more readily visible than others.

If you are lucky, it may be on the front bottom edge and clearly visible when you open the cabinet door. However, it can also be hidden away on the very bottom of the unit where you cannot see it. This problem may be further compounded by it being relatively low to the ground.

If you can’t see it, you can still find it and push it. Some people will be happy to feel around on the bottom of the unit until they can find the button. Other people will be more squeamish or safety conscious and will not like that idea.

Never fear, there is still a solution. A small hand mirror can help you find it without feeling around on the bottom of the disposal.

Just place it below the unit to get a look at the bottom. However, since disposals tend to be in dark cabinets, you might also need a flashlight to help you see. This can introduce additional complications.

It won’t work to aim the flashlight at the mirror. Instead, aim it at the bottom of the disposal. You may need to fiddle with it to get the angle right so it doesn’t just reflect back blinding light.

What If There Is No Reset Button?

Occasionally, you will be unable to find a reset button at all. The unit may not have a reset button.

But that doesn’t mean it cannot be reset. Even if there is no button, there should be a hex key hole. It typically fits a standard 1/4 inch hex key, also known as an Allen Wrench.

You may even have both features on your disposal. Not only does the hex key hole serve as a means to reset the disposal, it also can serve as a means to dislodge small jams.

Turning it back and forth turns the rotor blades as well. In many cases, this will resolve the issue.

What If It Still Doesn’t Work?

If you have done all of the above and it still doesn’t work, it may be badly jammed. You will need to remove the blockage and try the reset button again.

First, turn it off at the wall. Then go underneath the sink and unplug the unit.

Use a long-handled tool to reach into the disposal and rotate the blades. You can buy special tools just for this purpose, or you can improvise. Some people use a broom handle or similar long, wooden item.

Tip: Remember to wipe it down afterwards with something that kills germs. If the tool itself is a likely source of germs, also disinfect the sink afterwards.

Some people have been known to use the handle of a toilet plunger. Stop and think about the implication for a minute. Are you grossed out yet? Yeah, either don’t do that or make sure you disinfect everything afterwards.

After you successfully dislodge the jam, plug the disposal back in, turn on the cold water and turn on the disposal. In most cases, it should now be running smoothly.

If it is not, there may be a weird little problem that sometimes happens. Let’s talk about that next.

If This Seems To Be A Mysterious, Chronic Problem

If you can’t seem to fix it, there may be a hidden problem. Someone may have dropped a small coin in the disposal, such as a penny or a dime.

Check out this video about how to remove a coin from your disposal. The big trick is simply finding it!

Coins can be quite sneaky. They tend to not stop the disposal from working entirely, yet they promote frequent jams, overheating incidents and often trip the reset button.

If you can hear something grinding when the disposal is running, that may be a small coin rattling around in the disposal. It needs to be removed.

If Nothing Works

If none of this works, it may be time to call a professional and let them handle it. In reality, you may need to replace the disposal. You can check the list of the best garbage disposals, we’ve collected and reviewed for you.

Disposals don’t last forever. Although rare, sometimes when they stop working, there is no reviving them. It is time for them to go to the landfill.

But don’t be depressed. Look on the bright side. This may be an opportunity to upgrade to a newer model.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-reset-a-garbage-disposal/feed/0Best Garbage Disposal Air Switcheshttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/best-garbage-disposal-air-switches/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/best-garbage-disposal-air-switches/#respondMon, 06 May 2019 14:11:02 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=412If you have never heard of a garbage disposal air switch, your first question might be “What on earth is that?” Your second question might be “And why...

]]>If you have never heard of a garbage disposal air switch, your first question might be “What on earth is that?” Your second question might be “And why should I want one?”

An air switch allows you to push a button and send a puff of air to the actual electrical mechanism to activate the garbage disposal. This is primarily a safety feature that makes sure you can’t get shocked when operating an electrical device – the garbage disposal – with wet hands.

Since garbage disposals use running water, it’s challenging to make sure your hands are dry at all times while flipping the switch. Being shocked can be more than a minor annoyance. It can involve serious injury.

Secondarily, adding an air switch is a matter of convenience. It allows you to put the switch wherever you want it. Since it does not involve a shock hazard, you can put it in or near your sink.

In contrast, electric garbage disposal switches always need to be placed at least a small ways away from the sink for safety reasons. This can have you reaching uncomfortably far. For some people, this need to reach is a minor annoyance. For others, it is also a safety hazard and a serious burden.

Last, you can pick a finish you like and match it to custom decor. It’s a small thing compared to safety issues and convenience, but such details matter to some people.

This DIY-friendly air switch comes in four finishes. It has a dual socket outlet and includes a 3-foot long power cord and a 6-foot long air tube.

The dual socket alternates power. They are never both on at the same time. If you switch the disposal on, it cuts power to the other socket. When the disposal goes off, power switches back on for the other socket.

This is a safety feature. It allows you to safely have a garbage disposal, dishwasher and hot water dispenser in the kitchen without risk of overloading the circuits.

Recommended if you want a mid-priced model with some of the extra features and plan to install it yourself.

This model is available in 24 colors and three different styles: Round, Square, and Raised. This makes it the ideal choice if you are trying to match an air switch to your kitchen decor.

It comes with a single outlet. Some customers have noted that the outlet box is unusually large. This may be an issue in some circumstances. If you are trying to fit it into a tight space, measure carefully.

Recommended if you are trying to get a particular look for your kitchen and all the little details matter.

Pros

Excellent color selection.

Three styles of the button to choose from.

Includes a single outlet.

Cons

The outlet box may be too large for a tight space.

If you have to drill, you may need to drill a larger hole than the instructions advise.

This very affordably priced model comes with a dual outlet module. It comes in both stainless steel and brushed steel finishes.

It has one socket that is always on. The other socket is controlled by the air switch. Make sure this is not a safety issue for your kitchen. Alternating power availability is a safety feature on some models that prevents blown fuses.

Recommended if you really want a dual outlet model and price is a major concern. Not recommended if you need the power to alternate between the two outlets for safety reasons.

Buyer’s Guide

Installing an air switch means you will never again accidentally turn on the disposal again when you are really trying to turn on the lights. It can simplify installation when you add a disposal to an older home.

Here are some things you should consider when shopping for the right air switch for your garbage disposal.

Quality of Materials

High-quality materials will impact how long the product lasts. All other things being equal, a higher quality that will keep on working after much use is better than a lower quality product.

If you aren’t the DIY type, you may end up hiring a plumber to install it. If so, you need to factor that extra expense in, on top of the price of the switch itself.

If you will be hiring a plumber, that may change your priorities for your buying decision. You may want to splurge on buying a better switch now to save on having to pay a plumber a second time at a later date to replace it if a cheap one lacks durability.

Hose Length

A long hose gives you more flexibility in where to place the switch. A short hose can limit where you can put it and this limitation cannot really be remedied.

In contrast, if you buy a switch with a long hose and don’t need the extra length, it can readily be trimmed down. The only possible downside to a longer hose is if it isn’t needed and you are trying to follow a Zero Waste philosophy for environmental reasons.

So think about where you want to place it and do some measuring. Ideally, you should know before you buy how much air hose you will need for the button placement.

An air switch is often installed in an existing empty hole intended for a soap dispenser. However, it can also be placed in any number of creative locations. Some people prefer to place it on the front panel of the cabinets or even hide it in a drawer.

Finish

Most switches come in at least a few different finishes. Some have more options than others.

If you have a high-end custom kitchen, the finish may be a high priority for you. Some finishes are more widely available than others. You will need to decide for yourself just how important this detail is to you.

Extras

Some switches are just the switch itself, plus the tubing through which the air passes. Others also come with an attached electrical outlet. When there is an outlet, some have just one socket, but others have two sockets.

If you are adding accessories to your kitchen, this may be your opportunity to add more capacity to plug in a few things. The primary use for the second socket is to add a hot water dispenser at the sink.

It can also be an added safety feature as some of these outlets only allow one socket to operate at a time. This feature can prevent you from overloading circuits and blowing fuses.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/best-garbage-disposal-air-switches/feed/0Badger 5 vs Badger 500 Garbage Disposalhttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/badger-5-vs-badger-500-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/badger-5-vs-badger-500-garbage-disposal/#respondMon, 08 Apr 2019 16:49:13 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=392The Badger line of InSinkErator brand garbage disposals is very popular. There are several items in this line, including the Badger 1 and the Badger 5XP. But a...

]]>The Badger line of InSinkErator brand garbage disposals is very popular. There are several items in this line, including the Badger 1 and the Badger 5XP. But a very common question is “What is the difference between the Badger 5 and the Badger 500?”

It’s a common question because they are actually quite similar. However, they have slightly different dimensions, so this is probably not literally true:

Badger 5

Weight: 13.71 pounds

Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 13 inches

Badger 500

Weight: 13.6 pounds

Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.3 x 12.6 inches

Size, Price and Popularity

Although their dimensions are slightly different, both the Badger 5 and the Badger 500 are quite small. They are some of the smallest disposals on the market. This makes them fit easily beneath the sink in even fairly tight kitchen designs. They are also very affordable. The combination of small size and low price point help make them two of the most popular disposals on the market.

Power Cord Not Automatically Included

In both cases, they do not automatically come with a power cord. You can order a power cord with them, but don’t be fooled by online listings. Some will list one of these with a power cord and one without. This is a marketing ploy. They are just tacking on the cost of the cord kit that you can purchase separately.

Technical Specs

Both models come with a 1/2 horsepower induction motor that provides sufficient power to grind even hard kitchen scraps, such as small chicken bones. They both come with a 1-stage grinding technology. They both have a speed of 1725 RPM.

Noise Level

They are not the quietest of disposals, though the Badger 500 is slightly quieter. The noise level is due in part to the fact that they are both continuous feed models. Batch feed models tend to be quieter than continuous feed models.

This is so because batch feed models have a stopper and continuous feed models do not. Continuous feed models are open the entire time they are in use. If you want a very quiet disposal, you should be looking at batch feed models. Those are generally quieter.

Easy Installation

Another factor making both models popular is how easy they are to install. They both come with an easy mounting system that is very DIY friendly.

Warranty

Both the Badger 5 and the Badger 500 come with a 2-year warranty. This includes coverage of in-home service.

Primary Differences

As noted above, their dimensions are slightly different. The Badger 500 is slightly less noisy. The Badger 500 tends to be a little more expensive.

In most cases, the small difference in dimensions really will not matter. There will be very few situations where the small difference in size will be the make-or-break detail pushing you to choose one over the other.

Buying Guide

The Badger 500 is primarily available through Amazon. They have a co-branding deal with InSinkErator.

If you want the Badger 5, you can order it on Amazon too. It typically costs a little less. There is a possibility that you will need to wait a bit more if you choose this model.

Some people feel that you are simply paying for convenience here. They feel you are buying the exact same model, but paying a few extra bucks to be able to buy it now.

The slightly different dimensions mean, no, this is not literally true. They are not 100 percent identical.

But they are so similar that people have trouble telling them apart at all. It winds up being a point of confusion. Are they or aren’t they really the same item, but rebranded?

If you live in a small town with a Home Depot as the only home improvement option, you may find yourself buying the Badger 500 because it is right there and readily available, no waiting required. It’s fine to do that. The price difference isn’t huge.

The reality is these two models are so similar, it isn’t really worth sweating bullets over this decision. If you generally like the performance and other details, these two models are more or less interchangeable.

If you have already set your sights on getting a Badger and you are trying to pick between the Badger 5 and the Badger 500, this decision will most likely boil down to whether price or convenience matters more to you. If you want to save a few bucks, you will probably go with the Badger 5. If you want to pick it up in person today, then you will probably find yourself with the Badger 500.

It’s fine to stop stressing over it at this point and just buy one of the two. There is no big secret difference that will come back to bite you later.

Although they aren’t identical, they are extremely similar. They really are so similar that if they were people, they would get mistaken for each other at parties.

You might think of them as being like fraternal twins instead of identical twins. Or, more accurately, you might think of them as being like semi-identical twins that share 75 percent of their DNA instead of 100 percent.

If you are looking for a new garbage disposal but didn’t decide with the model, you can look through the best waste disposals reviews, we’ve picked for you.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/badger-5-vs-badger-500-garbage-disposal/feed/0How To Fix a Garbage Disposal That Is Humming and Now Workinghttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-fix-humming-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-fix-humming-garbage-disposal/#commentsMon, 01 Apr 2019 11:32:40 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=377Humming is usually a good sound. It tells you a person is happy or it tells you the refrigerator is working just fine. All is well with the...

]]>Humming is usually a good sound. It tells you a person is happy or it tells you the refrigerator is working just fine. All is well with the world.

Unless it’s a humming garbage disposal. Then it’s an unhappy sound that makes people cranky. It tells you something went wrong.

But what went wrong?

In most cases, a humming disposal is simply jammed. Something is stuck in the blades, preventing them from spinning. The motor runs, but the blade can’t turn.

The humming you are hearing is the sound of the motor running. It’s the same reason a refrigerator hums. You can hear the motor on the refrigerator running.

The reason a disposal normally does not hum is because you usually can’t hear the quiet hum of the motor over the much louder sound of the blades turning and doing their job. They rather noisily grind up whatever gets put through them. This drowns out the quiet humming sound of the motor.

How To Fix a Humming Garbage Disposal

Here is the very first thing you should do: Press the red reset button on the unit beneath the sink. Sometimes, it’s that simple.

Maybe you already knew that. But it’s shocking how often we get busy or are tired and forget the obvious answers. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of the simple fixes.

If that doesn’t work, you want to gather up a few tools, such as an Allen wrench (AKA a hex tool), tongs, a flashlight and a broom or other long-handled item. You may also want to wear latex gloves for cleanliness reasons or work gloves for safety purposes.

Safety first

Make sure to cut the power to the unit before you do anything else. You don’t want to get shocked. You also don’t want the disposal to suddenly start back up the second you dislodge something while you still have tools stuck in it.

It is forbidden to put your hand in the disposal. This is dangerous and can get you maimed. Don’t do this even if the power is cut. Should someone turn the power back on while your hand is in it, this will do very bad things to your hand.

There are two ways to cut the power. You can either turn it off at the circuit breaker or unplug the unit. It should be plugged into an outlet beneath the sink.

If you are paranoid, you can do both. It’s fine to be a little on the paranoid side when dealing with potentially dangerous situations.

Next Steps

The first step is to try using the Allen wrench in the breaker socket. It is a small six-sided hole found on the bottom of the garbage disposal.

This is provided as a means to manually turn the flywheel back and forth without sticking your hand in the unit. It’s the safe, appropriate means to do this.

You put the tool in and turn it back and forth a few times. Hopefully, this will free it up.

You check if it worked by restoring power and turning the unit on. Does it do what it’s supposed to do? If yes, your job is done. If no, you need to try to clear the jam another way.

Also, some units don’t have this hexagonal-shaped hole. If there is no hex hole, or if the jam is not cleared by using an Allen wrench, then you need to use a broom handle or other long item to move the blades directly.

Remember to not put your hand in the disposal. Instead, stick a broom handle or other long item into the garbage disposal and move it back and forth to move the blades back and forth.

This is essentially the same thing you were trying to do with the Allen wrench. It’s just more direct and less clean and convenient.

Disposals tend to be gross. Food accumulates in the bottom and then germs grow in that stuff. If your disposal is jammed, it probably has more than usual of that in there. It’s probably pretty nasty.

So you will need to clean and possibly sterilize the broom handle afterwards. Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic bleach substitute. You might try cleaning the broom handle with that.

Some jams are caused by large, hard items rather than accumulated food. Maybe a fork got dropped down in the disposal. Maybe a pebble somehow worked its way into there.

In such cases, a flashlight and a pair of tongs are the best means to remove the foreign object and free the blades up. Again, don’t ever put your hand down into the disposal. Use a tool to reach into it.

If you don’t have tongs, you can try using pliers. If you have neither tongs nor pliers, you might want to go to the store and get one or the other.

After removing the object, you will again want to restore power and see if the unit functions normally. If it doesn’t, you may have a different problem.

Other Problems

In most cases, the disposal will be humming because it is clogged or jammed. But not always. Here are a few other scenarios.

It’s Overheated

If you thought cleaning out the refrigerator and putting everything down the disposal that’s been in the fridge more than six months was a good idea, well, think again. You may have overworked it and caused it to overheat.

The solution is to give it a rest and try again in a few minutes. In the meantime, start dumping the rest of the old food in the trash, not down the disposal. It wasn’t really intended to be used this way.

If a few minutes rest doesn’t work, try pressing the red reset button on the unit beneath the sink. See if that does the trick.

The Breaker Tripped

Especially if you live in an older home, the disposal may have tripped the breaker. This usually happens if you are also running other appliances at the same time. Sometimes, it overloads the electrical system.

You need to find your circuit breaker panel. It is probably in a hallway, closet or the garage. Occasionally, it will be in the pantry or inside a cabinet somewhere.

Find the correct breaker. Hopefully, all the breakers are labeled. You are looking for the “Kitchen” breaker.

It should have three settings: on, off and neutral. It is probably currently in neutral.

You want to turn it to the “off” position first to reset it. Then you want to turn it to the “on” position.

It’s Time For A New One

This is the worst-case scenario and it’s uncommon. But sometimes it has died, whether due to age or hard use.

So, if all else fails, you may want to call a plumber and get their professional opinion. It may be time to shop for a new one.

Prevention

Okay, so you got it running again, or maybe you are waiting for a plumber to show up to replace it. Cool beans.

But let’s try to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Or at least that it happens less often in the future, especially if you are getting a new one.

For starters, understand that you can’t put just anything down the disposal. Here are some things you should never put down a garbage disposal because these items promote clogs:

Coffee grounds

Pasta

Rice

Bones

Dead pets, no matter how small

Fruit with pits

Oil

Bacon grease or other kinds of grease

Pasta and rice both can expand when wet. This promotes clogging. Grease and oil can solidify when cold. This can promote clogging. Bones or fruit pits can damage the unit.

It should go without saying that the garbage disposal is also not the appropriate means to dispose of glass, plastic, paper or metal. It should go without saying, but it is being said here because some people have put such things down their garbage disposal, so it’s being said anyway.

Making sure you aren’t putting the wrong things down your disposal is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent problems. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to print the above list and post it on the refrigerator, at least until you have it memorized.

If your kitchen sees frequent guests, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to post some safety guidelines permanently. Better safe than sorry and it might prevent some unfortunate incidents and hard feelings between you and friends or family.

Clean Your Disposal

If you don’t clean the disposal regularly and properly, you are going to see more jams. When you clean it improperly, you can damage it. Also, if you clean it with harsh cleaners, you can damage the environment, which is not a good thing.

Here are two non-toxic, inexpensive cleaning methods:

Lemons

Take a lemon or two and cut them up into quarters or smaller pieces, depending on their size.

Leave the rind on. It will help provide abrasion to remove debris.

Run the sections of lemon through the disposal with cold water.

The lemon juice is a non-toxic cleaner that will help kill germs.

It’s also naturally pleasant smelling, though just having the disposal clean will help prevent odors.

Ice

Start running cold water in the side of the sink with the disposal.

Turn on the garbage disposal.

Slowly add ice to the running water, a little at a time.

Make sure you don’t overload the disposal.

This works better with ice from an automatic ice maker than with large cubes from trays. They break up more readily and you probably have a lot more ice on hand if you have an automatic ice maker.

Though some people don’t hesitate to have a variety of ice cube trays, each making different shapes, and adequate supply for party purposes, even without an ice maker. There’s nothing wrong with that. You do you.

Other Prevention Tips

You should also be mindful of making sure small, hard objects don’t land in the disposal. One thing that helps is that you can get a mat for the bottom of the sink to prevent small items like forks from accidentally landing in the disposal

Another approach is that you can just institute personal habits and household policy that no one ever puts forks or similar small objects in that side of the sink. Make sure all dishes and the like go into the other side of the sink.

Also, think before you do anything new and unusual. If you decide to re-pot a few overgrown houseplants in the kitchen, make sure to not do it in the disposal side of the sink or to otherwise take appropriate precautions.

It’s not uncommon for houseplants to have pebbles in the soil. Even if there are no pebbles, soil is not something that belongs in the garbage disposal.

Also, you should always start running the water before you turn the disposal on. Don’t run the disposal dry. This is very hard on the unit and can promote problems.

If you think prevention is too much of a hassle, remember the saying “If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to find time to do it over?” Learning to use it properly is something you should expect as par for the course.

If you can’t be bothered to learn to use the disposal properly, it might make more sense to not have one. Misusing it is actually a potentially serious safety issue.

Kitchens existed for a long time before we invented fancy gadgets to put in them. Plenty of people live just fine without some of these gadgets.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-fix-humming-garbage-disposal/feed/3Batch Feed VS Continuous Feed Garbage Disposalhttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/batch-feed-vs-continuous-feed-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/batch-feed-vs-continuous-feed-garbage-disposal/#respondFri, 29 Mar 2019 12:44:33 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=372There are two types of garbage disposals: continuous feed and batch feed. They operate differently and have different strengths and weaknesses. If this is your first time shopping...

]]>There are two types of garbage disposals: continuous feed and batch feed. They operate differently and have different strengths and weaknesses.

If this is your first time shopping for a garbage disposal, it might surprise you to find that there are two types. The continuous feed model is much more popular, so you may not have ever seen a batch feed disposal before or known anyone who had one. Also, you can visit our guide and reviews on choosing the best garbage disposal.

Some Basics

It’s popular in part because it tends to be less expensive. It is also simpler and more straight forward to use. You just turn the water on, turn the continuous feed garbage disposal on and start feeding food waste into it.

A batch feed garbage disposal requires a little more planning and organization. You have to first fill it with food waste, place the stopper into it, turn the water on and then turn the power on. In most cases, a batch feed garbage disposal will not turn on without the stopper.

The way batch feed disposals work makes them a little less convenient. They are not as conducive to disposing of small bits and pieces of things as you do food prep and cook.

They also are less convenient for disposing of large amounts of food waste at a time. Large quantities need to be processed in several small batches, making batch feed disposals less convenient for large families who do a lot of cooking and deal with a lot of food waste.

Safety

However, the way a batch feed disposal works means it is inherently safer than a continuous feed. This is true in various ways and for various reasons.

For starters, the fact that it has stopper means small items, such as kitchen utensils, cannot readily fall into it. Small items falling into the always open entry point for a continuous feed disposal is a common cause of blockage.

It can also cause someone to get hurt if they reach into the disposal with their hand to retrieve the item. This is especially likely to be a problem in a case where a child accidentally drops something into a disposal.

They are unlikely to think twice before simply trying to reach in, especially since their small hands are more likely to readily fit through the opening. In a household with several children or a special-needs child, this can be a serious cause for concern.

A batch feed disposal eliminates the risk of such scenarios. In most cases, it is simply not possible to have your hand in it while it is running.

The stopper serves as a safety switch. The unit will not turn on unless the stopper is in place. Even if someone sticks their hand in the unit, they will not be sticking their hand into dangerous machinery while it is running.

For households with small children, elderly members or other individuals with special needs, the safety features inherent to the design of a batch feed garbage disposal can be very attractive. Not having to live in fear of a relative being seriously harmed by this common household appliance can make a batch feed disposal highly desirable.

Continuous feed disposals can also potentially spew out items. Most of them come with a splash guard that reduces the risk of this happening, but does not completely eliminate the risk.

The stopper on a batch feed disposal also eliminates this possibility. Nothing can accidentally come flying out of the top of it because it will be closed up while running.

For people who feel like they walk around with a black cloud over their head and anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, this safety feature can help provide peace of mind. Some people find low risk events of this sort very stressful and may worry constantly about the possibility every time a continuous feed disposal is turned on.

They, too, may find a closed batch feed model a happier user experience. So, simple worrywarts or even people with a formal diagnosis of anxiety may want to consider a batch feed model.

Price Versus Cost

The typically lower upfront price of most continuous feed models is often cited as the reason they are so common. But the listed price is rarely the whole story.

Some continuous feed models lack a standard power line with a plug. This means they need to be installed by a professional.

If you were planning to have a professional install it anyway, you may not think anything of this detail. It may not strike you as an extra expense. But if you are the DIY type, this may be a genuine pain point for you.

In contrast, batch feed models always have a complete power line with a plug. This makes them slightly more DIY friendly, but only slightly. Some continuous feed models also have a complete power line with a plug.

If you are the DIY type, make sure to check if the model you are considering has a proper plug. Saving the cost of professional installation by a certified plumber may allow you to spend a bit more on the unit itself and get the disposal of your dreams.

They Require Different Habits

One of the downsides of a batch feed disposal is that people are sometimes tempted to pile small amounts of food waste in them a little at a time and let it sit until the unit is full. This can potentially take several days.

This is a potential health hazard. It can be a place for germs to grow while the food rots and can potentially attract insects or other vermin.

If you know this would be you, consider a continuous feed unit instead. If you purchase a batch feed unit, make sure you are prepared to run things in batches in a timely fashion.

Yes, it requires a little more organization and planning to use a batch feed unit properly. But you need to use it properly if you don’t want to simply trade a safety hazard for a health hazard.

Water Usage

Another growing concern in this day and age is water use. Some sources have predicted that the next wars will be fought over water and many jurisdictions have had to ration water at one time or another due to climate change.

If you live in a desert or other situation where water use is sometimes or often limited, or if you are simply worried about the environment and committed to doing something about it, then a batch feed model may be more attractive. Continuous feed models tend to use more water than batch feed models.

The Popularity Factor

It’s possible that continuous feed models are popular in part because they are popular. The fact that they are popular means they are more familiar. It also means there is a wider selection of models on the market.

The wider selection of models available means people are more able to find the details they want at a price they like. On the other hand, modern people often suffer from the paradox of choice.

In short, the wide variety of options available on the market can be a huge headache for many people. It can take a lot of time to do the research on what is available and more time still to try to decide which one is best. Many people find this reality very stressful.

If you want to make a good choice without spending an excess of time and energy on it, a good first step is to decide up front whether you want a batch feed model or a continuous feed model. This will reduce the number of options you need to examine in detail in order to make your purchasing decision.

A Little History Lesson In How Markets Get Shaped

Returning to the point of familiarity, this is a surprisingly important factor in the persistence of some things. You may not realize just how much this shapes your life and the world at large. One great example is the QWERTY keyboard.

The QWERTY keyboard was intentionally designed to be inefficient. It helped reduce the incidence of stuck keys all jammed together from someone typing too fast on mechanical typewriters.

But typewriters evolved and now most keyboards in use today are for computers, not typewriters. Mechanical keys that can stick together are no longer an issue, yet most keyboards are still QWERTY keyboards.

Why is that? What gives?

Well, most people learned to type on a QWERTY keyboard. Learning to type efficiently on a different layout would take time and energy. So both individuals and organizations typically default to the QWERTY because so many people are familiar with it.

So Be Prepared, If Necessary

If you have never used a batch feed disposal before, you may be tempted to get a continuous feed simply because it is familiar. You may not even consciously realize this is the reason. It just ends up being a more comfortable idea for reasons you may not have even examined.

If you do decide you want to get a batch feed disposal, be aware that you will probably need some transition time to adapt to doing things differently. It takes time to learn new things. It takes time to establish new habits.

Give yourself some transition time and commit to learning to adapt to this new style of disposal. This will help make it a successful and positive experience. This is the best way to avoid having buyer’s remorse and returning to the old, familiar continuous feed model the next time you need a new disposal.

Features In A Nutshell

Here is a handy checklist for each type of disposal. It can help you to remember some of the main features of each when trying to make a purchasing decision.

Continuous Feed

Most popular.

Tends to be cheaper.

Tends to use more water and power.

May lack a plug-in electrical cord, thus requiring professional installation.

Has inherent safety risks, especially with children or certain other populations.

Batch Feed

Superior safety features.

Less common, so may be less familiar.

Tends to use less water and power.

Always has a proper plug-in electrical cord, making it more DIY friendly.

Decisions, Decisions

Which household appliance to purchase is always a personal decision. There is no one absolute “right” answer for all scenarios. Instead, you need to decide which answer is best for you and your household based on the specifics of your situation.

There are many factors that can impact the decision. These can include cost, household size, household makeup, where you live and strongly held views of various sorts.

It may help to list out various factors in your own life. Perhaps read back through the article to get an idea of what types of things you should write down.

Then think about which ones are most important to you and other members of your household. Two seemingly identical households may come to completely different decisions because they have different priorities and handle the same issues differently.

For some people, a particular viewpoint or personal commitment to a cause will be the single most important driving factor in the decision. Maybe you are big on the environment and will go with a batch feed model simply because they tend to use less water and electricity.

For other people, personal circumstances eclipse other factors. For some people, the arrival of a special-needs family member can become a critical factor in all decisions, permanently changing their priorities.

You don’t need to explain or justify it to the person selling it to you or installing it for you. Don’t worry about that angle.

Just make the decision that makes the most sense for your specific situation. Make the decision that makes you happy.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/batch-feed-vs-continuous-feed-garbage-disposal/feed/0Can I Have a Garbage Disposal With a Septic Tank?https://bestsinkdisposal.com/can-i-have-a-garbage-disposal-with-a-septic-tank/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/can-i-have-a-garbage-disposal-with-a-septic-tank/#commentsFri, 22 Mar 2019 16:14:07 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=363If you are coming from a more urban environment, where your pipes lead to a sewer system instead of a septic tank, you may think of a garbage...

]]>If you are coming from a more urban environment, where your pipes lead to a sewer system instead of a septic tank, you may think of a garbage disposal as a convenient appliance. You may think using one is a minor imposition on the system or no imposition at all. Or you may just not have thought about it at all.

But you need to understand that septic systems work differently from city sewer systems. Living with a septic system is a bit like moving to a foreign country. It’s a whole new culture, so to speak.

A septic system needs to be handled differently from a sewer system in terms of what you put into it and how you interact with it. Those differences in handling occur primarily in the form of modifying your day-to-day behavior at home.

You mostly won’t be interacting directly with the septic system. In fact, you want to interact with it directly as little as possible.

Instead, you will be interacting indirectly with it. But you need to understand that when you interact directly with household items like the toilet or disposal, you are interacting indirectly with the septic system.

You need to think about how you are impacting that system. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ is a dangerous position in this case. It can lead to serious problems.

Convenience Costs

Let’s say you are peeling potatoes and historically you would have put those peels down the disposal. Now you are in a home with a septic system and wondering what to do.

Maybe you feel it’s a small thing and your other options are less convenient in the here and now. It seems like more hassle to put them in the trash can or start a composting heap.

Think again. That short term convenient answer can have substantial costs in terms of time, money and hassle.

Putting large quantities of food down the disposal when you have a septic tank can lead to increased clogs, the need to pump the tank more frequently and the risk that the tank will need to be dug up. If you think starting a composting pile is too much hassle, do you really want to spend additional time, money and energy scheduling septic tank maintenance and waiting around for a plumber? Can you even afford to take that many days off from work?

Why It Matters

Septic tanks are designed to handle human waste, not kitchen waste. Feces and urine are already broken down to some degree. Food waste from the kitchen is not.

Septic systems are already typically in a delicate state of health that is easily upset. There are lots of harsh chemicals you shouldn’t be putting down your sink or toilet because they can kill the microbes in the system that are breaking down wastes. Adding “foreign” matter that the system wasn’t designed to handle just makes this problem worse.

The system was simply not designed to deal with food waste. It’s as simple as that.

When you put food waste into the system, especially in large quantities, it changes the chemical and microbial environment. This actively interferes with the system’s ability to do its job.

Microbes are essential to the process of breaking down waste. Disrupting the microbial system causes the system to stop working.

Food wastes also tend to cause clogs in the system. This is especially true for some foods, such as fats and grease and foods that expand in water, such as rice and noodles.

Best Practices

In order to understand how to deal with a disposal when you have a septic system, you should understand how the system works generally. It will be easier to understand what you should and shouldn’t do if you have some larger context.

Let’s go over a little of that now, along with talking about some general best practices. Seeing what you shouldn’t do generally may help you better understand the restrictions on disposal use.

A septic system involves a holding tank and a leach field. No, it is not intended to be a permanent, maintenance-free solution. Although you need to be mindful of the chemical and microbial balance, it doesn’t simply break everything down completely where you can forget the tank even exists.

It needs to be inspected annually and pumped out about every three to five years. The more use of your system, the more your tank needs to be pumped out.

So as your family grows or if you start throwing more parties or otherwise having more people in the house, this will put a higher load on the system. If you misuse your system, this will also cause problems.

There are actually lots of videos on the topic of how a septic tank works. Here’s a nice illustrated video to get you started:

There are different kinds of designs. You should know which one you have and how it works. Here is a good overview of single compartment, double compartment and pump systems from the King County, Washington government.

Don’t put anything down the toilet other than toilet paper and bodily wastes. Do not flush household cleaners, diapers, tampons, condoms, cigarette butts, unwanted medication, oil or grease or any number of other things that people commonly put down toilets.

Be water wise. Running too much water through the system is a common cause of or factor in septic tank failure.

Be mindful of not negatively impacting the tank physically. This includes both landscaping choices and lifestyle choices.

You don’t want to use plants with deep roots that can invade the tank. You don’t want to park a car above the tank. It will impact the soil and can potentially break pipes.

Dos and Don’ts For Your Disposal

The gold standard rule of thumb is simply don’t use a disposal at all with a septic system. However, that may not be the most realistic expectation.

Maybe you moved into a house that already has a garbage disposal and a septic system. Maybe you have some reason why you feel you need to add one.

So let’s go over some other dos and don’ts. Hopefully, that will minimize problems if you do have a disposal in the house and a septic system out back.

Do start a compost heap if you don’t like putting food waste into the trash. It can be a constructive and fun activity and doesn’t have to be particularly inconvenient.

Don’t use small bones or the like as a means to sharpen the blades. Some articles recommend this method, but it is not a great idea to do this with a septic system as it just adds food waste to the system.

Do sharpen the disposal blades periodically using a little ice and cold water. Ice melts and turn into water and won’t disrupt the chemical or microbial balance of the system.

Don’t overload the disposal with too much ice when you do this! Ice is surprisingly hard. You can mess up the disposal. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it melts into water. It’s not water at this moment.

Don’t overload the disposal generally by putting too many solids through it at one time. It can damage the blades and can cause clogging.

Don’t ever put very tough fibers through the disposal, such as corn husks and onion skins. It’s hard on the disposal. It can damage it. Such things also tend to cause clogs. Stuff like this belongs in a trash can or compost heap, not your pipes.

Do educate yourself about how the septic system works so you understand how and why your habits need to change. The information in this article is not comprehensive. This should not be the last thing you read on the topic if you expect to live with a septic system for the foreseeable future.

Do commit to taking some time to develop different habits so you aren’t mindlessly mistreating your septic system. New habits take time and effort to develop. On the upside, once you have established new habits, good habits can be as hard to break as bad ones. This can make life easier for everyone.

Do schedule additional appointments with a professional to have the tank pumped more frequently if you are using a disposal at all. You typically need to pump them out every three to five years and inspect them annually.

Don’t put large quantities of food waste down the disposal. This is in addition to the rule about don’t overload your disposal. This is about what the septic tank system can handle. It can’t handle large quantities of food waste.

Don’t listen to the messages from the disposal company saying it’s fine to use a disposal with a septic system. They are just trying to sell you something. They aren’t looking out for your best interests.

Don’t put other trash down the disposal, such as paper, metal, glass or plastic. Yes, people have actually done this. Some folks have no clue how things work and find out the hard way.

Do use it to break up food waste from the dishwasher. Some people find that the disposal gets filled with food waste from the dishwasher. Running the disposal about once a week can help clear this out and help your system work better.

Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean the disposal. They will end up in the septic tank and can upset the chemical and microbial balance.

Do use non-toxic cleaners to keep the disposal from smelling. If it smells, it’s probably germy. This is not good for your health.

Do try ice first to clean the blades. See if that kills the smell before trying other non-toxic options. Remember that if it kills germs, it can still disrupt the balance of the septic tank system.

So, should I Use a Garbage Disposal with a Septic System?

The best advice you can get is to just not use a garbage disposal with a septic system. The second best advice you can get is to use it minimally and responsibly.

If you have bought a house with a septic system and it doesn’t already have a disposal, don’t add one. It’s much easier to find other solutions if turning on the disposal is simply not an option.

In fact, if you have bought a house with a septic system and it has a disposal, you should consider having it removed. If you do so, get it removed by a professional plumber who can replace it with the appropriate pipes.

Yes, that’s counter-intuitive for most people. People typically don’t like giving things up. But it can’t be more expense or hassle than having your septic system pumped more frequently or having your septic system fail.

If you are renting a home and can’t remove the garbage disposal, then use it minimally. Generally speaking, the less you use it, the better.

If you are on good terms with your landlord, you might ask if they would remove the disposal.

Perhaps you can educate them as to why this is the cheap, logical solution by sending them articles like this one or just talking with them about the issue.

Humans are creatures of habit and will tend to do what they have always done. It can be hard to get them to change their habits. Renters are notoriously bad about not knowing how to take proper care of the property. Some folks simply don’t care.

The bottom line is that garbage disposals and septic systems simply don’t play well together. It makes more sense to simply not pair them up in the same home, even if that means removing the existing garbage disposal, though it works just fine.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/can-i-have-a-garbage-disposal-with-a-septic-tank/feed/2How to Unclog a Garbage Disposalhttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-unclog-a-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-unclog-a-garbage-disposal/#respondMon, 28 Jan 2019 14:03:56 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=246The garbage disposal is a kitchen waste savior, which is why it can definitely be disconcerting when it becomes clogged. Garbage disposals are powerful but they do have...

]]>The garbage disposal is a kitchen waste savior, which is why it can definitely be disconcerting when it becomes clogged. Garbage disposals are powerful but they do have their limitations, such as bones and avocado pits. If you find out your garbage disposal’s limitations the hard way, there are ways to unclog your machine and get it back up and running smoothly. The process requires patience and careful attention, but when it’s all said and done you will have your garbage disposal back.

Methods Of Garbage Disposals Unclogging:

Pulling Large Debris from the Disposal

Impeller Dislodging

Plunging the Disposal

Drainage/Cleaner Solution

Impeller Dislodging from Below

Pipe Cleaning

CAUTION: BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS, ENSURE THAT YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL IS POWERED DOWN/TURNED OFF. THE SAFEST METHOD IS TO TURN OFF THE BREAKER LINKED TO THE DISPOSAL AT THE BREAKER BOX!

Getting Started

The tool you will need for this method is pliers or something similar in effect. After taking your safety precautions, follow the steps for unclogging your disposal:

The first thing to do is to take a look inside the disposal. A flashlight is recommended for visual clarity. If there are large objects caught in the disposal, using a tool such as pliers, reach in and try to remove them.

After removing the large object/s from the disposal, give it about ten to fifteen minutes to allow the disposal motor to cool off.

Then you can power the disposal back up and push the reset or overload protector button, typically found on the bottom of the disposal.

If that was your issue, you should be up and running again. Was that not the solution for your clogged garbage disposal? That’s fine too, there are other checks and methods you can utilize to get your disposal back.

Method Two

So, you have checked for large objects stuck in the disposal and that was not your issue. There is another method that can be used. This method involves dislodging the impeller.

You need to find a wooden spoon, broom handle, or something else that is long enough to reach the bottom of the disposal and maintain strength.

You want to put whatever stick-like object you have found into the disposal and push it up against the garbage disposal blades, or impeller.

Next, try rocking the broom handle or spoon back and forth until you are able to free up the blades.

If that was the solution to your clog and you are able to free up the blades, wait about ten to fifteen minutes to allow the disposal motor to cool off. Then, press your reset button; again, this is located on the underside or bottom of the garbage disposal unit.

Fire the disposal back up after the waiting period and check to see if it functions and drains water.

If it did, congratulations you are now a certified disposal fixer (just kidding, you certainly are not qualified to work in others’ homes just because of this). If the solution still eludes you, have no fear cause there are more methods yet to attempt.

The Plunge

For this third method, the tool needed is a plunger. Sometimes the drainpipe is not able to drain all of the chopped waste because of one reason or another. Often times that reason is that there was not enough water inflow when using the garbage disposal. In this case, you may be able to unclog the drainpipe just as you would a clogged toilet.

First, place the entirety of the plunger head over the garbage disposal drain.

Next, allow the sink to fill with water, just enough to cover the edges of the plunger.

Then simply begin plunging the drain as you would a toilet, in an up and down motion.

Once finished, you will have a general idea of your success or failure by watching the water in the sink drain or not. If the water drains, there is a high probability that you have cleared the clogging in the drainpipe.

Are you still struggling to unclog the garbage disposal after attempting this method? Do not be discouraged, although the first few methods have not worked for you, you still may find your DIY solution. The next method involves bringing back that old high school chemistry lab experience.

Make a Mix

Some sources and people may suggest using a drain cleaner such as Drano. Be wary in using these types of mixtures and cleaners because they could potentially cause problems for any plastic part of the garbage disposal. And yes, most garbage disposals have plastic parts, which would be more a more intensive fix if they go down than any unclogging effort. Instead, you can whip up your own draining solution comprised of baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar reacts with the baking soda, creating a powerful, yet safe for your disposal, cleaning and clearing solution.

First, pour roughly a quarter of a cup of baking soda into the disposal. There is no need to try and evenly spread the baking soda around the disposal because the ensuing reaction with vinegar will do that job.

After you have poured baking soda into the disposal drain, pour about a half of a cup of vinegar into the drain with it. Patiently allow this chemical reaction to take place for about five to ten minutes or so.

When the timer hits the five to ten-minute mark, you can turn your breaker back on and start your disposal back up.

Once it is powered back on you should run hot water through the disposal drain for a few minutes — around five minutes should do the job.

After pressing the reset button on the bottom of the disposal, check to see if you have functionality.

If your disposal appears to be draining water and functioning, call it a day and do something nice for yourself! If not, again, do not worry. Disposals are complicated pieces of machinery that can have a plethora of issues to try to zero in on.

Moving the Blades: a Second Attempt

So you have gone through the previous methods and none of them was the solution to your clogged garbage disposal. What you can do next is a variation of the second method of attempting to dislodge the impeller or the garbage disposal blades. An additional safety precaution not previously mentioned is to unplug the disposal from its outlet entirely, but only if it is accessible and practical for you.

Garbage Disposals have a slot in the center of the underside of the unit located near the reset button. These slots, or holes, are usually shaped so that an allen wrench can fit into it. With that in mind, you will need an allen wrench for this method. If you are not sure of the proper size to use it does not hurt to get your hands on a couple sizing options to make sure you can fit at least one of them into the disposal.

First, insert the allen wrench into the slot and begin rotating back and forth. What this is doing is similar to the spoon or broom handle method as it is, or should be, turning the blades in an attempt to dislodge the clog.

If you are able to rotate the allen wrench around a few times then do so. This should allow for the dislodging of any obstructing material, at which point you should be able to pull out the debris from the drain opening.

Again, perform this debris removal using a tool such as pliers. NEVER, EVER stick your hand directly into the disposal, it is simply not the safest practice.

Hopefully, you are able to clear up the clog with any one of the four previously mentioned methods. If you are still struggling to unclog your disposal, it is now ok to grow slightly impatient (realistically, keep your cool it is always better). It may now be the time to take apart your unit and do some pipe disconnecting and inspecting. If you do not feel comfortable doing so in fear of destroying your unit or other configurations, now would be the time to call your most trusted professional. If you are the “I got this” type, keep reading.

Pipe Cleaning

You have tried the previously mentioned methods to no avail and your patience is running low. This final method is the make or break method. It’s time to disconnect pipes. The tool of choice for this method is a wire brush; the tighter it fits the diameter of the pipe the better. For this method, you will be working entirely underneath the sink and below the garbage disposal unit.

Once shut down, you can begin to disconnect the draining pipe from the garbage disposal unit. DO NOT disconnect the dishwasher hose line. This is almost never the problem when your disposal is clogged or acting up. In fact, you usually only need to inspect and repair the dishwasher hose line when your dishwasher will not drain. That is not why we are here. So once you are sure you are disconnecting the pipe, do so. You may need a wrench in order to loosen the fastening on the pipe, though some models are hand friendly.

After you have disconnected the pipe from the unit, look inside and see if there is any buildup or debris causing the clog.

Whether or not you can see the debris, you should still work the wire brush down the pipe vigorously. It can be hard to see down the pipes so attempting to clear it out even if you are unsure that there is clogged content is your best bet.

Having cleared the pipe with a wire brush and removed any debris you were able to, it is time to now reconnect the pipe to the disposal unit.

After you have reconnected the pipe to the unit, turn your breaker back on and press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal unit.

Then, use the sink to send water down into the disposal as you turn it on to investigate whether or not it is draining.

If the disposal is back to functionality, congrats! You are basically a plumber. If not, it may be time to call it quits and entertain the idea of buying a new garbage disposal.

Conclusion

Garbage disposals are often times the biggest helpers when it comes to kitchen waste. When they become clogged, we become upset. The various methods listed and discussed above should be enough to fix your clogged garbage disposal. If not, your garbage disposal may be at the end of its road. No matter the case, always, always, always practice safety and caution when dealing with garbage disposal repairs and unclogging. If these methods work for you and you are able to get your disposal up and running, I applaud you for your time and effort in your home’s functionality. If these methods did not work, still give yourself a solid pat on the back for the effort and time you spent attempting to unclog it. Sometimes there may not be a fix, and that happens and it is okay.

If you are looking to take preventative steps regarding future clogging, you can squeeze lemon juice into the drain and run the disposal with light water flow from the sink simultaneously. Lemon juice is acidic by nature. When you run the disposal and have the lemon juice swirling around with the impeller, it allows for the lemon juice to break down any buildup on the blades and prevents corrosion. Doing this every two weeks or so can save you lots of time as it will keep your disposal unit in top condition. Safe practices and good luck!

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-unclog-a-garbage-disposal/feed/0What to Put and Not to Put in Garbage Disposalshttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/what-to-put-and-not-to-put-in-garbage-disposals/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/what-to-put-and-not-to-put-in-garbage-disposals/#respondTue, 22 Jan 2019 16:01:08 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=241Garbage disposals make life a lot easier, and there are so many brands out there. Did you know that the first garbage disposal device was invented as early...

]]>Garbage disposals make life a lot easier, and there are so many brands out there. Did you know that the first garbage disposal device was invented as early as 1927? These handy kitchen junk disposals have gotten quite sophisticated since its initial release. Built with high-torque motors and safety switches, you can safely get rid of most food in your sink with a simple press of a button. However, there are some things that still don’t mix well with your garbage disposal.

What is a Garbage Disposal Designed to Do?

Garbage disposals work as a grinder that can mash and tear up food into small bits. You may think that your disposal can take on any type of waste product, but it’s not designed for that purpose. The best way to keep your disposal in good shape is to avoid putting anything down the drain that disposal blades aren’t designed to handle.

There are a few other tips for keeping your garbage disposal working properly:

When your garbage disposal is on, run cold water at the same time to solidify oil and grease.

Don’t let your disposal remain unused for too long or it will cause problems with sticking blades.

Only biodegradable food should be put in your garbage disposal.

What can happen to your garbage disposal? It can become a piece of useless plastic or steel.

What is Okay to Put in Your Garbage Disposal?

Most food easily disintegrates in your garbage disposal without a second thought. There are only a few things that will cause issues, such as long-term damage to the blades. There are even some things that can clean your garbage disposal naturally. Here are a few things that are easily ground down by a garbage disposal:

Most vegetables: While there are some exceptions, any soft vegetable that is easily torn can go into your garbage disposal.

Fruit: While some hard fruit rinds may cause trouble for blades, most citrus is okay to go down your disposal. In fact, things like lemons, limes, and oranges can make your sink smell better.

Cooked meat: Small portions of leftover meat can easily get ground up in the disposal and washed down the drain. However, you don’t want to put any large chunks of meat down the drain.

Fruit Rinds: This can actually be helpful for cleaning your garbage disposal. For example, orange peels are safe to put in your disposal and will leave it smelling like citrus.

One of the golden rules is how well you can tear an item with your bare hands. If you know that something looks quite solid or shouldn’t go down a regular sink drain, then you don’t want to put in your garbage disposal.

What Isn’t Okay to Put Down Your Garbage Disposal?

Most of the food scraps in your kitchen sink will probably go down without a fight, but is your garbage disposal supposed to handle all of that strain? Most disposals aren’t designed to handle large scraps of food or hard bones. There are also some garbage disposals that claim they are stronger than others, but does that mean you should put anything down your kitchen drain?

While letting one of the items on the list below through your disposal once probably won’t harm it, you should take extra precaution when you start putting lots of food into your disposal. If your disposal gets stuck, it could ruin the motor forever. Replacing a disposal isn’t easy, so it’s best to only stick to the food that can easily shred and go down the drain.

Here are a few things that are better to throw away than to try your luck with the disposal:

Eggshells. There is actually a debate on why eggshells are perfectly safe to go down the drain. While most of the modern garbage disposals can handle crushing these shells, there’s questions about whether these should be drained in your kitchen sink. Most disposals make quick work of eggshells because they are fragile and break easily into tiny pieces, but what about the membrane lining in an eggshell?

This is the difficult part about crushing an eggshell. While the shell may break down, the membrane and residue of an egg can get caught on the blades, causing long-term issues if not cleaned. Over time, the membrane can crust and make it more difficult for blades to move as they were designed.

To be on the safe side, it’s recommended that you throw eggshells away instead. You won’t have to worry about anything getting stuck on your blades and causing corrosion over time.

Coffee Grounds. The idea of putting coffee grounds into your disposal doesn’t seem harmful. After all, they are already partially broken down, and they have a pleasant smell, which can help your disposal. However, while coffee grounds are small enough to not hurt your disposal, they can gather at the bottom of your kitchen sink drain, causing other issues.

Coffee grounds tend to collect at the bottom of drains, forming a sedimentary sludge that will clog with additional food scraps going down the drain as well. These can pile up over time if you continuously dump coffee grounds into your disposal, which inevitably will stop up your pipes and cause slow drainage.

In this case, you should just throw coffee grounds away.

Bones. You may think a small chicken bone once in awhile in the disposal is okay, but should you repeatedly put bones in your disposal? Most plumbers who fix garbage disposals say that broken bones are the number one cause for stuck blades. The issue is that bones don’t grind down with just one swivel. Bones require grinding for a longer period of time, and sometimes, blades will not be able to break through a tough bone.

You shouldn’t put bones down the drain anywhere. They can clog your entire system. Most of the time, small bones will break down, but larger bones typically don’t crush as easily. These can put a huge dent in your disposal blades and cause other issues.

Since a bone is extremely hard and thick typically, they won’t grind up as well as fruit or vegetables. Instead, you should throw these away. You can save yourself a visit from a plumber to unclog your drain and fix your disposal.

Banana Peels. Banana peels are made from very fibrous organic material that can string off and stick to the edges of your disposal. Simply put, banana peels really don’t work well with any type of disposal. Since a banana peel has so many strings, these can peel off and stick to the blades, causing long-term damage and corrosion.

You can probably get away with putting most other fruits and vegetables down the drain, but you should stay away from bananas and banana peels. You can throw these into the trash instead.

Potato Skins. Potato skins are high in starch, which means that they don’t break down like other fruit rinds and peels. The skin of a potato can be ground down into a thick, mushy sediment that will stick to blades and cause sticking. Since starch acts like sugar, it can solidify and wreak havoc on your disposal blades. In addition, you don’t want this sludge to go down your drains as it can cause a stoppage.

While putting a small bit of potato skins probably won’t harm your disposal if by accident, you should take care not to let any type of potato or potato skins to be put in your disposal in large quantities. These are better suited for a compost pile.

Oil and Grease. So, you just cooked up some beef for your tacos and drained the oil into the sink. Is that a good idea for your disposal? This is actually a bigger category than you can imagine. These oils and grease can break down into the following:

Cooking lard or grease

Oils

Butter

Fatty deposits

One of the first things you learn in cooking school is that grease and oils should never go down the drain. However, things happen, and sometimes you get grease that slips down your sink. It is a huge no-no to have these go into your disposal, however. It may seem like the grease and oil drains safely, but most of the time, it is solidifying in your disposal and pipes.

These oils will eventually clog and cause sticking, as well as corrosion in your disposal. To dispose of grease properly, you should simply allow it to solidify in the pan and then throw it away in the trash. In addition to being harmful for your sink, drain, and disposal, grease and oil are also not eco-friendly at all. These should never make their way back into open water because it is damaging to plants and wildlife.

You can pour grease into a jar or can and allow it to solidify before disposing into the trash can.

Fruit Pits. Do you love peaches, cherries, and plums? Well, your garbage disposal won’t like them one bit. In addition, avocado and mango pits are also to be avoided. The issue is simply the toughness of your disposal blades versus the toughness of the pit. The blades simply can’t break down these tough fruit centers.

Instead, you can dispose of pits in the trash or compost pile. These are extremely to cut through so you don’t want to damage your disposal blades by trying to see if it will drain.

Other Items That May Not Be Safe in Your Disposal. It’s crazy what people will put down a kitchen drain, but if you ever talk to a plumber, you’ll know that disposals break from all kinds of things going down the drain when they should go in the trash. Here are a few that are either bizarre or should be disposed of with care.

Starches, Rice, and Pasta. You already know that potatoes can cause issues for your disposal. While it may seem perfectly fine to put pasta down your drain, they do expand when wet. This little fact may seem innocent enough, but pasta and rice will continue to swell while in water. If you constantly find yourself putting pasta down your drain, you may have an issue later on with clogged pipes. Even starchy vegetables like celery, onion skins, artichokes, and corn husks may have trouble breaking down.

Cigarettes. You probably would never think to put a cigarette down the drain, but these things happen. The main thing to remember is that cigarettes contain chemicals and aren’t biodegradable. You don’t want anything like that going into the water supply or clogging up your pipes.

Paper and Plastic. You definitely want to avoid anything like paper or plastic getting into your disposal. These won’t grind down like other biodegradable materials, and they’re extremely toxic to the environment. However, plumbers state that many disposals break because cotton balls and plastic wrappers are accidentally drained into the disposal, where they catch and cause the blades to stick. These can also cause further problems down in your pipes. In addition, you may think that paper is okay since toilet paper dissolves in water, but it’s actually made to dissolve whereas most paper and plastic wrappers are not.

Conclusion

The modern convenience of garbage disposals can go away quickly if not taken care of properly. When you’re disposing of any waste in your kitchen drains, you should think about how well it will break down and move through drains. If you think that it’s too hard or fibrous to put in your disposal, then it may cause irreparable damage down the line.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/what-to-put-and-not-to-put-in-garbage-disposals/feed/0How to Replace a Garbage Disposalhttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-replace-a-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-replace-a-garbage-disposal/#respondTue, 22 Jan 2019 15:33:00 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=237A garbage disposal is one of the most useful appliances in your kitchen. These appliances are designed to last for several years but at some point in their...

]]>A garbage disposal is one of the most useful appliances in your kitchen. These appliances are designed to last for several years but at some point in their lifetime, they also need replacing. Fortunately, the installation process is not as hard as it sounds. However, you need to have some plumbing and wiring skills to carry out the installation correctly.

You can carry out the replacement as a DIY project, but if you’re not confident enough, you could always get a professional to do the installation for you. There are different reasons as to why you may need to replace your garbage disposal such as when it is leaking, clogged, or jammed.

The garbage disposal attaches to your kitchen sink and has a discharge attached to the drainpipe. Moreover, the garbage disposal can also be attached to your dishwasher’s outlet.

Tools and materials required to replace a garbage disposal

A new garbage disposal

Plumber’s putty

Silicone sealant

Sink flange

Teflon pipe joint compound or thread seal tape

Hammer

Hacksaw

Hex wrench

Screwdriver

Pliers

A clean and dry towel

Step-by-Step – How to replace a garbage disposal

1. Turn of the power of your garbage disposal

Before you replace your garbage disposal, the first thing that you need to do is turn off the power of your garbage disposal from the main switch. You need to know that garbage disposals have electrical wiring. Trying to replace or repair them without turning off the power puts you at risk of getting electrocuted. As a result, you must turn off the power of your garbage disposal to cut off the live current.

2. Identify your specific garbage disposal

Before you consider replacing your garbage disposal, it is imperative that you establish the specific model that is in your kitchen. While out in the market shopping, you will find many models and brands, which means that you need to replace the old one with the exact model. If your broken garbage disposal is a Badger 5, for instance, you have to be sure to get a new Badger 5 for replacement purposes. You can identify the specific model by looking at the cylindrical object located between the plumbing pipes and below the drain. The make and model should be indicated there.

3. Detach the discharge tube

Next, you need to disconnect the discharge tube. This is the long pipe that extends from the side of your garbage disposal to the ground piping. To disconnect it, you need to loosen the nuts that hold the pipes together before pulling it. The role of the discharge tube is to carry ground organic garbage to the disposal. If your garbage disposal is also connected to your dishwasher, you should follow the same procedure to disconnect it.

4. Remove the old/broken garbage disposal from the mounting ring

Usually, garbage disposals are designed with a mounting ring that is situated at the top of your unit. The mounting ring is a thin metal ring that has three separate arms. You should twist the protruding arms anticlockwise to release the garbage disposal. It is wise to have objects to support the old garbage disposal because most are usually heavy.

5. Release the garbage disposal from the power supply

There is a square or round faceplate located on the underside of your disposal. It covers the disposal’s electricals. You need to unscrew it to release the wiring, then use the pliers to release the wire connectors.

6. Remove the mounting ring

Next up, remove the mounting ring and the gasket above it. The process is easy because it involves peeling away the rubber at the bottom of the mounting ring. You could consider keeping it if it’s still in perfect shape.

7. Unscrew the nut that holds the remaining parts

Use a screwdriver to remove the rest of the assembly. Some effort may be needed to remove the mounting nut under the sink flange.

8. Remove the sink flange

You will notice a round metal rim around the opening of the drain. That is the sink flange, and you should remove it by pushing it from the bottom and pulling it from the top.

9. Place the new sink flange

Apply plumber’s putty around the edges of the surface where the sink basin sits, then push the sink flange into position.

10. Connect the mounting assembly

Put the rubber gasket and another metal flange before screwing in the new mounting ring. If the old one is still in good shape, you can still use it.

11. Attach the new garbage disposal to the mounting ring

Carefully bring in the new disposal. Be sure to align all the parts together, and then rotate the mounting ring clockwise until it locks securely into the new garbage disposal.

12. Connect the wiring

Using basic electrical skills, unscrew the faceplate on your new disposal before connecting the wires. Remember to turn off the electricity at the main unit before connecting the wires. Some wires are color coded to make the connections seamless, but the majority of disposals have two sets of wires.

13. Reconnect the discharge tube

Connect the discharge tube to your new unit and be sure to fasten any nuts around the area. Fastening the nuts will prevent leaks.

Do you really need a garbage disposal?

Before you decide to replace your garbage disposal, you need to ensure that you really need to have one in your kitchen. In previous years, garbage disposals were regarded as a luxury, but over time, people have come to appreciate their importance. However, people who are environmentally conscious tend to opt for other methods to dispose of their organic garbage.

It has come to the attention of people that the organic waste that goes into the sewer system from their kitchens has an impact on the waste treatment facilities. That’s why some people have opted to dispose of their organic garbage in trash cans instead of flushing it down the drainpipes. In fact, there are communities that have banned the use of kitchen garbage disposals while others have come up with programs to manage organic wastes without flushing it into the sewer system.

This is to say that it is imperative for you to establish whether a garbage disposal is the right way to go. It is also unwise to use a garbage disposal in areas that rely on a drain field and a septic system to process wastewater. This is because it could put a strain on the maintenance of the wastewater system.

That aside, a garbage disposal is an efficient appliance that can help you manage your organic garbage better. If you wish to replace or install a new garbage disposal, then you have to follow specific procedures to ensure it functions properly. The following video illustrates how you can go about the replacement of a badger 5 garbage disposal:

The advantages of using garbage disposals

A garbage disposal is an appliance that helps you to manage the waste that you produce in your kitchen. Here are some of the main benefits of having a functional garbage disposal in your kitchen.

Garbage disposals are pocket-friendly

One of the key benefits of a garbage disposal is that it is affordable. Additionally, they can help you save a significant amount of money. They are also designed to last for a couple of years, and they eliminate the costs of paying a plumber every time to come fix your drainage system when it clogs.

Fortunately, there are plenty of high-quality garbage disposals that you can find to install in your kitchen. A good garbage disposal allows you to avoid clogging your drainpipes, which means that you will not need the help of a professional plumber.

Easy to clean

Another upside to garbage disposals is that they are very easy to clean. Even when organic waste gets clogged in the garbage disposal, you can easily solve the issue by cleaning the motor. You’ll be surprised at how efficiently it will operate after you’ve cleaned its motor.

They eliminate foul orders

Another reason for you to consider installing a garbage disposal in your kitchen is to eliminate bad odors. Organic waste starts to decompose after some time, releasing a bad smell. If you use standard trash cans in your kitchen, you will definitely smell the bad odor that will have filled your kitchen.

If you have a garbage disposal, however, you have little to worry about foul odor. This is because it grinds the waste into small pieces and flushes it down the drain instantly. Organic waste doesn’t have to stay a minute longer in your kitchen to decompose. What’s more, a garbage disposal eliminates the need for you to keep taking the trash out to avoid the foul smell.

They prevent pest infestation

Another benefit that garbage disposals present you is preventing pests from coming into your kitchen. If you put organic waste in a trashcan in your kitchen, there is a high likelihood that pests such as cockroaches and rodents will be attracted into your kitchen. However, if you have a garbage disposal, you will hardly see any because the pests have no food to eat in your kitchen.

They are an excellent option for the environment

Garbage disposals are excellent appliances because of their environmental benefits. If you are wondering how they are environmentally friendly, here’s how. They help to keep the environment clean by preventing the accumulation of organic waste, which over time becomes a pile of trash. Moreover, the trash emits a foul smell that pollutes the environment.

Additionally, garbage disposals eliminate the need to use plastic bags to dispose of organic waste. The plastic bags have to be transported by garbage trucks that cause greenhouse gas emissions. However, if you have a quality garbage disposal in your kitchen, all these troubles could be avoided.

Easy maintenance

Maintaining garbage disposals is an easy and seamless process. You don’t have to call a professional to carry out maintenance tasks. You just need to run some vinegar and baking soda every week to maintain a good scent. To keep the impeller sharp, you just need to put some ice cubes in the disposal occasionally.

The downsides of having garbage disposals

Here are some of the major drawbacks of garbage disposals.

Extra cost

When you decide to have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you should be prepared to spend more money in your kitchen. This is because the disposal system will cost more than trashcans, and they come in different sizes. If you have a lot of organic waste to dispose of in your home, therefore, you’ll need a larger appliance that will cost more.

They breakdown eventually

Over time, your garbage disposal will breakdown. This means that you have to be sure to conduct proper maintenance tasks to keep it in perfect working condition. After it breaks down, you need to do some replacement.

They clog

Garbage disposals cannot handle all types of foods. As a result, they clog easily, and the accumulated foodstuff could result in a foul smell.

Conclusion

A garbage disposal is an effective kitchen appliance that helps you manage organic waste. Since they are machines, garbage disposals have a lifespan too, which means that they will need replacing eventually. When replacing the system, you have to ensure that you have the right tools to detach the old unit and attach the new garbage disposal. To carry out a successful replacement, you also need to have basic plumbing and wiring skills. Moreover, be sure to follow the right procedures when replacing your garbage disposal.

]]>https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-replace-a-garbage-disposal/feed/0How to Install a Garbage Disposalhttps://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-install-a-garbage-disposal/
https://bestsinkdisposal.com/how-to-install-a-garbage-disposal/#commentsTue, 08 Jan 2019 10:08:51 +0000https://bestsinkdisposal.com/?p=213Most homeowners use garbage disposals to dispose of kitchen refuse. Garbage disposal grinds the food particles to a near liquid state to allow it to flow through the...

]]>Most homeowners use garbage disposals to dispose of kitchen refuse. Garbage disposal grinds the food particles to a near liquid state to allow it to flow through the drainage pipes without clogging them. Like any other machine, disposals stop working due to defects caused by grinding the wrong items, old age, or due to other reasons. After it dies, your disposal unit will require replacing. We can help you replace the unit by guiding you on how to install a new unit to your sink.

Common Instructions for all Disposals

Do you want to install or replace your old faulty garbage disposal? If you do, you need to know that replacing or installing a new disposal unit isn’t a hard nut to crack as long as you are equipped with the necessary tools and materials.

Tools Required

Hammer

Hacksaw

Pliers

Screwdriver

Materials Required

New disposal unit

Plumber’s putty

Silicone

Tailpiece

Discharge tube

Tee

Traps tube

Installation Process

Step 1: Examine your Sink

Check your sink to determine its size and the voltage of your old unit, the manner it’s connected, the space available for the new unit you intend to install, and its horsepower. It is also advisable to ask yourself whether you want a more powerful disposal unit as compared to the previous one or not. 1/2HP is ideal for light use, 3/4HP for normal use, and 1HP for heavy-duty grinding. Those are some of the things that you need to check out when buying a new disposal unit.

Step 2: Detach the Drain arm and dishwasher pipe from the old disposal unit

The drain arm is a plastic pipe that drains the waste from the disposal while the dishwasher tube drains from the dishwasher unit and is typically thinner. Before disconnecting the pipes, place a bucket under the tubes to hold the water that might spill when detaching the pipes.

Step 3: Remove the Old Disposal Unit

Here, you will find out that the old unit is now attached to the sink and the electric mains. While holding your unit with one hand, twist the unit until it detaches from the mounting then proceed to disconnect the electrical wiring. When disconnecting your unit from the mounting, it is advisable that you loosen the screws rather than pulling them out. Remove the retaining ring with a screwdriver before pushing the drain through the sinkhole. Complete the process by removing the old seal using an Exacto knife.

Step 4: Preparing to Install New Unit

How do you prepare for the new unit? Simply wipe the areas under the sink with clean water. Carefully read and understand the disposal’s installation instructions on its manual guide. It is also important to arrange all the parts accordingly to make the installation process easy. You don’t want to frantically look for screws or parts while installing the unit.

Step 5: Connect the New Disposal’s Hardware

tart by laying the plumber’s putty about a ¼-inch wide and 1 ft long around the sink drain perimeter. Place the new drain on the putty before putting a rag on the drain. Proceed to set your disposal unit on the rag while holding the drain into place as you attach the new mounting assembly. Let the mounting assembly connect just like the old one. Fix the washer and the backup ring onto the drain before fitting the retaining ring into place. Once you are satisfied that it is attached well, tighten the bolts or screws to hold the entire unit securely into place. Remove the excess putty that is around the drain.

et the electrical plate and check out the wiring before connecting it by matching the wires with their respective colors. White wires, for instance, should attach to other white wires before securing them with wire covers. Finish the electrical connection by connecting the black wire to the green screw located on the disposal unit and then returning the electrical plate.

Step 6: Installing the Garbage Disposal Unit

If you are planning to connect the unit to your dishwasher, unblock the dishwasher tubes by knocking the blocker out with a hammer and screw. Install your new unit by holding it securely to the mounting assembly then screw it in a clockwise direction until it holds securely. It is advisable to keep the assembly in place with the help of a screwdriver as you turn the unit. After you are through, make sure to apply clamps to secure the connection.

Step 7: Test

Ensure to test whether the connections are perfect by running water through the drains to ensure there are no leaks under the sink.

Installing to Double Sink

If you own a double sink in your kitchen, you will definitely want to have all of them fitted with a garbage disposal unit. However, you can’t buy two disposal units for the two sinks. This is because this will be too expensive not only to acquire the units but also to operate it. With one unit installed perfectly for both sinks, however, you won’t see the need for buying another unit. To install a disposal to a double sink, you need to follow the process below and have the necessary materials and tools.

Step 1: Remove the Broken Disposal Unit

This applies to people with an old faulty unit that they want to replace with a new unit installed to a double sink. If you don’t have any unit, just move to the preparation stage. Carefully disconnect the old unit starting with the disconnection of the electrical parts. Proceed to detach the drains connected to the disposal and then detach the unit from the flange.

Before proceeding, you will need to disconnect the disposal flange mounting from the sink drains. You, however, can still mount it on this flange if you are installing a disposal unit from the same brand. Some experts are likely to advise to replace it all the same for a better sealing of the drain.

Disconnect the discharge tube and the entire drainage system from the second sink. You can do this if the tailpiece, the tee, and the drainage tube are faulty. If it does not experience any leaks, however, there is no need to replace it.

Step 2: Install the New Disposal Unit

The preparation process of installing a disposal unit to a double sink is slightly different if you have to prepare the second sink differently. When working with a sink that will hold the disposal unit, you can follow the process we mentioned above. Having said that, let’s see how you need to prepare the second sink.

Installing the materials of the second sink isn’t a difficult task if you follow the correct procedure. Seal the sink flange with silicon because you can rely on it to seal off leaks since it sticks securely in place. While holding the tailpiece into place, turn it in a clockwise direction until it fits securely under the sink. Follow this with a tee and connect it to the tailpiece. The tee will allow you to attach the discharge tube to the disposal unit in the first sink.

Prepare the discharge tube by first connecting it to the already mounted disposal unit. Mark it right at the correct measurement and cut it with a hacksaw for a perfect disposal installation. You can then loosen the discharge tube from the disposal unit so that you can insert it to the tee before reconnecting again.

Step 3: Connect the Electrical

Once you are sure that you have mounted the garbage disposal on the first sink securely and the second sink is well fixed, now is time to connect the electrical wires. Removing the wire cover plate, get the wires to match according to their respective colors. Afterward, insert the wires back and then reattach the cover place for safety.

Step 4: Connect the Drains

Attach the discharge tube with the flange and the screws or bolts. Using a hammer and screwdriver, unblock the dishwasher drain before connecting it.

Step 5: Test Your Disposal Unit

Testing allows you to confirm whether your installed unit works. Simply fill both sinks with water and run it to check for leaks. You can then switch on the unit by plugging in the power cord.

Installing to a Single Sink

Installing a disposal unit to a single sink is even simpler as compared to installing the unit to a double sink. This is because you won’t connect in the second sink. Here are the simple steps to follow whether you are replacing an old fault disposal or installing a new one.

Step 1: Turn off the Electrical

Unplugging the power cord will ensure your safety by protecting you from electrical shocks. Before you disconnect the drains, put a bucket under the sink in order to trap water that might still be within the drains. Detach the drains as well as the strainer.

Step 2: Prepare the New Disposal

Apply a plumber’s putty or silicone around the perimeter of the flange and then push it into place to fit securely. Place a towel or rag in the sink while setting the disposal unit on the flange so that it doesn’t move.

Assemble the fiber gasket, the backup flange, and the mounting ring in that order and then slip them onto the flange. Pull the snap ring to open it in order to fix it into place easily. Thereafter, tighten the screws in an even manner for a secure fitting on the backup flange. Make sure you clean off the leftover putty.

Step 3: Connect the Drains and Power Cord

Connect the dishwasher drains to the disposal unit by first unblocking with a hammer and a screwdriver. Before unblocking, remember to remove the plug from the inlet of your disposal unit. Connect the power cord by removing the cover plate and matching the wires with their respective colors before reattaching the cover plate.

Step 4: Install the Garbage Disposal

Now it is time to install the entire disposal unit under the sink. You can do this by inserting the gasket to the discharge outlet, connecting the discharge tube to the flange, and screwing the bolts for a firm fitting.

Align the three taps of the disposal with the mounting ring. Using a wrench, turn and lock the taps securely over the ridges. Connect the dishwasher drain and make sure the discharge tube is fixed properly before connecting the other drainpipes.

Step 5: Test

Before you fold your tools to go, make sure you have tested the disposal unit to ensure it is working properly. Moreover, check for any leaks by running water from an already filled sink.

Installing Badger Disposals

The process of installing a badger disposal unit only requires you to have a few tools and the materials needed. Check out the simple steps below!

Step 1: Turn off the Electrical and Unplug the Drains

Before you even start installing your badger disposal unit, make sure the place under the sink is clean. Turn off the electricity to the sink. Get a bucket under the sink to hold any water that may leak as you unplug the sink drains. If you have a dishwasher connected, you need to disconnect it as well. Remove the old sink drain by unscrewing it, move to the old disposal unit, and remove it by rotating it anticlockwise.

Step 2: Remove the Old Unit

When you have removed the flange, you will realize that there is old plumber’s putty around where it was attached. Scrap it off gently with a putty knife or a fine wire for one that is stubborn to remove. Get the new flange and smear putty around the underside where its threads meet with the sink rim. This is meant to seal the sink against leaking. Place the flange in the sinkhole and push it to fit firmly. Afterward, wipe off the excess putty from the hole.

Step 3: Prepare for Installation

Once the drain is in place, put some weight on it to keep it in place in order to install the mounting pieces without disturbing the drain. Carefully arrange the flange, mounting ring, and the snap ring and screw them to hold them securely beneath the sink.

Step 4: Install the Unit

This is now the time to bring in your badger garbage disposal under the sink. First, align the unit to the drain system before turning its mounting tabs until they hold firmly into place. Start to connect the dishwasher pipe and other drains to the respective openings on the disposal. Additionally, ensure the wiring is done well. Moreover, tighten all the fitting to ensure everything is perfectly in place.

Step 5: Test

After tightening all fittings, plug in the power cord and test whether your badger garbage disposal unit is up and running as expected.

Installing Insinkerator Disposals

Prior to installing an Insinkerator, it is recommended that you read and understand the installation instructions and safety precautions that accompany your unit. Here are the steps to follow when installing an Insinkerator under your sink.

Step 1: Detach the P-trap and Drainpipes

Loosen the nuts that hold the pipes into place and remove the parts once the nuts are off. Clean the pipes to do away with all manner of clogs. You can also disconnect the down drain pipe that comes from the sink and the p-trap. Make sure to remove the strainer too by unscrewing the large nut under the sink.

Step 2: Preparing for Installation

With the help of a screwdriver, you can loosen the mounting assembly by loosening the 3 crews holding it into place and then removing the snap ring. Remove the plumber’s putty that has aged before applying a fresh one around the drain opening. Fix the new sink flange through the sink opening and push it to hold firmly.

Step 3: Install the flanges and the Gasket

Turn your attention to the underneath of the sink and fit in the fiber gasket, the backup flange, as well as the mounting flange onto the sink flange. Keep all the components firmly into place and then slip on the mounting ring followed by a new snap ring. Ensure your mounting assembly and other pieces are tightly seated beneath the sink.

Step 4: Connect the Dishwasher and Electrical

If you intend to use a dishwasher, you need to knock out the dishwasher plug with a hammer and screwdriver. Additionally, remove the knockout plug that is loose inside the disposal unit. Afterwards, lay down the unit and connect the power cord from the power mains. Ensure you do the wiring correctly to avoid short-circuiting and damaging the unit.

Step 5: Installing the Disposal unit

Align the disposal unit to the three mounting tabs by hanging it while the slide-up ramps are on the mounting ring. Start by turning the lower mounting ring and lock the tabs into the mounting system. Once you lock them in, insert the discharge tube into the coupler and slide the clamp over the tube. Slightly turn the disposal unit until it aligns with the drain trap in order to fit it perfectly. Finish by locking the unit into place. You can then insert the Quite Collar Sink Baffle into the sinkhole and push it until it snaps into place.

Step 6: Test

Fill the sink with water and allow it to run while checking for leaks. Moreover, switch on the electrical to see how it operates.

Installing Waste King Disposals

Like the other disposal units mentioned above, installing a Waste King Disposal is also simple thanks to its precise installation guidelines. You just need to follow the five easy steps below when installing a disposal unit from Waste King.

Step 1: Disconnect the Existing Drain and Strainer

Start removing the existing drain by disconnecting water and electricity from the sink.r Moreover, remove the drain pipes that are connected to the sink right at the threaded fitting. Proceed to disconnect the sink strainer.

Step 2: Install a Flange and Mounting Assembly

Before installing the flange, roll the plumber’s putty around the base where it meets with the sink. Fit the flange securely and firmly to the drain hole of the sink. Turn under the sink and install the mounting gasket and retaining ring on the flange just as instructed by the manual from the manufacturer. Make sure the screws are tight enough to hold it firmly. Clean the excess putty from around the flange on the upside of the sink.

Step 3: Mounting the Disposal

At this stage, mount the disposal unit as per the guidelines of the manual. Connect the drainpipe and the dishwasher pipe if you have it. Fit the disposal flange onto the mounting bolts and attach the discharge tube securely. Ensure you also connect the power cord before screwing the disposal onto the mounts. It is advisable to do the wiring at this stage before firmly mounting the disposal unit.

Step 4: Attach the Waste Pipe

Attach the P-trap to the drain. You may cut the P-trap if need be in order to fit it in perfectly. Ensure that the waste pipe and the dishwasher pipes are also fitted firmly.

Step 5: Test

This is the time to test whether your unit is operational. Fill the sink with water and allow it to run down the drain to check for leaks. Additionally, turn on the power to see how it grinds.

Regardless of the model or brand of garbage disposal, following the right installation procedure is the only way to have your unit up and running efficiently. Make sure you read and understand the instructions provided in the manual guide before you start the installation process.